7. Auburn hosted an international soccer match ahead of the World Cup that should be the most attended soccer game in Alabama state history, as fans from across the country came to Auburn to watch Lionel Messi score a penalty kick goal and lead his team to a 3-0 win.

6. A federal judge ruled that Alabama cannot execute a man using the nitrogen hypoxia method, stating that the firing squad provides a quick and painless death, but Alabama law does not allow this method, which means the doomed man will probably live a little longer.

5. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) campaign threatened to sue Mobile’s Lagniappe over its reporting that included tax return barcodes that made his records available.

4. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued cease-and-desist letters to mail-order abortion providers, reminding them that Alabama’s law is clear and abortion is illegal in this state.

3. President Donald Trump’s endorsement power delivers split results in Iowa and South Carolina, while controversial terrible person and Nazi tattoo-haver Graham Platner will be the Democrat nominee unless he is removed from the ballot, like New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is suggesting.

2. A new independent poll shows ex-Navy SEAL Jared Hudson leading U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) by 4 points in the Alabama U.S. Senate runoff, in contrast with other polling, as stolen valor claims have Moore pushing back by releasing records and stating he was never in combat and never claimed to be while accusing Hudson of denigrating the Alabama National Guard and Army Reserves.

1. The conflict in Iran is escalating as Tehran vows a strong response to U.S. strikes carried out over a downed helicopter, with President Donald Trump actively involved in efforts to manage the conflict, push for a ceasefire, and navigate high-stakes negotiations to end the conflict in a few days.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.